August 1998 marked the 50th Anniversary of
the founding of the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program. The anniversary was highlighted by
both an evening gala celebration and a ceremony at the Navy Memorial in Washington, D.C.

Three U.S. Presidents, several members of
Congress, and many national organzations sent congratulatory letters, and commemorative
resolutions were passed by both the Senate and the House of Representatives. At a
concluding observance honoring the late Admiral Hyman G. Rickover, Father of the
Nuclear Navy, Rear Admiral Henry McKinney (ret.), President of the Navy Memorial
Foundation, presented Naval Reactors with the Lone Sailor Award in honor of Admiral
Rickovers lifetime achievements. Admiral Frank L. Skip Bowman and Mrs.
Eleonore Rickover, widow of the honoree, then placed a wreath in his memory at the
Memorials Lone Sailor statue.